Places to Visit in Seychelles

The largest island in Seychelles, Mahe is home to Victoria, the capital of Seychelles.  With some of the world's best beaches, Mahe is famous as a honeymoon destination and attracts visitors from across the world. Apart from the beaches, Mahe has its own share of coconut plantations, waterfalls, hiking trails, freshwater springs, dense forests and great resorts.

The second largest out of 115 islands in Seychelles, Praslin has always been one of the wilder yet laid-back islands, with tropical forests, nature reserves and a host of beaches. It is a great place for the explorers and adventures with trails and treks of all kinds of difficulty. The island also has its own museum and art gallery which further help express the history and culture of Praslin.

Out of the 115 islands that make this beautiful country, La Digue is the fourth largest in size and third largest in population. La Digue is known for the world-famous award-winning beach Anse Source d’Argent. Must-do activities in La Digue include diving, snorkelling and crystal kayaking on a glass-bottom boat. It is also one of the few places where a tortoise can be seen crossing a road.

Morne Seychellois National Park is located on Mahe island. The park consists of dense mountainous forests and endemic birds like Seychelles bulbul, Seychelles swiftlet, Seychelles Scops-owl, Seychelles blue pigeon and Seychelles sunbird. The world's smallest frog, which is 1cm in length, can also be spotted here. The highlights are hiking and birdwatching.

Victoria, the tiny capital city is the perfect place to get a glimpse of daily life of Seychellois, and the Creole culture. Explore the town's old colonial buildings including a replica of London's clock tower, savour the Creole cuisine or get a lively experience at Sir Selwyn Clarke Market. The city's other notable attractions include the much-visited Seychelles National Botanical gardens, a small Hindu temple Arulmigu Navasakti Vinayagar Temple and the Museum of Natural History.

Anse Lazio is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world located on Praslin Island. The turquoise sea, soft white sands, boulder-strewn areas and the backdrop of lush green tropical trees make it a picturesque setting. Anse Lazio is ideal for snorkelling, deep-sea fishing, swimming and photography.

Located in the south of Mahe, Anse Intendance is one of the most breathtaking beaches in Seychelles. With a backdrop of mangroves and large granite formations along with powdery white sand and azure water, it is a picture-perfect spot. It is also one of the few beaches in Seychelles where turtle nests are common. Since there are no reefs, Anse Intendance has larger waves making it an ideal spot for surfing rather than swimming.

Anse Source d'Argent is the most beautiful, award-winning beach of Seychelles, located in La Digue. The beach has been dubbed the most beautiful beach in the world due to its azure waters, soft golden sands and the pink granite boulders. This renowned beauty of the beach has made it a hotspot for several photoshoots such as Crusole or Cast Away and famous adverts such as the Bacardi advert and the Bounty chocolate ad.

A short walk from Praslin Island, Curieuse Island is famous for its red earth and is a bio-reserve. It is also known for being a cultural icon of the island nation and a place for coco de mer palms. A paradise landmass which floats on the Indian Ocean, this island is a wonderful weekend gateway for people who want to escape from the routine life and want to experience the nature.

Cousin Island is a protected nature reserve conserving sea birds and endemic land birds. It is also an important breeding site for hawksbill turtle. A granitic island located 2km from Praslin, Cousin Island is one of the most popular places to visit in Seychelles. The island can only be visited through local tour operators.

Anse Georgette is ranked as one of the best beaches in Seychelles along with Anse Lazio. While Anse Lazio is a public beach and is usually crowded, Anse Georgette is a private paradise owned by Constance Lemuria Resort. Entry into this place is free of cost even if you're not a guest at the resort, however, prior booking is recommended.

Grand Anse beach, located on the southeast coast of La Digue island in Seychelles, and is the longest beach in La Digue. It is often referred to as the 'wild beach as the sea here runs deep very quickly and you can get caught unawares. So, swimming here is not recommended. However,  the golden sands are stunning and make you want to relax and soak up the sun all day. The scenery around is mesmerising, and the beach is not crowded.

Known as the sister beach to Grand Anse, the Petite Anse is a serene and less crowded beach of La Digue. Located near the Four Seasons Hotel, on the south-east coast of La Digue, the beach lies between Grand Anse and Anse Cocos. It receives a fraction of sunbathers because the waters aren't safe to swim due to high tide. However, it is the right spot for surfing.

One of the two UNESCO World Heritage sites in Praslin, Vallee De Mai Nature Reserve is a nature park. Also known as "Garden of Eden", it has a widespread palm forest and is popular for coco de mer, the largest seed in the world. It is also home to the rare Seychelles Black Parrot, the national bird of Seychelles.

Beau Vallon is the largest and most popular beach of Seychelles, located around 3 kms from Victoria, on Mahe. With white sand and crystal clear water, it is famous for snorkelling, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, scuba diving and jet ski. Beau Vallon is the only beach in Seychelles where motorized water sports are permitted.

Bird Island is one of the many granitic islands in Seychelles that together form the inner island group. It is known to be one of the most beautiful well kept natural islands. True to its name, the island is known for being a safe haven for various kinds of birds who live here. It is home to the world's oldest giant tortoise - Esmeralda along with giant turtles and tortoises. It is also a great place for snorkelling and diving.

Ste Anne Marine National Park, located just 5km from Mahe, is the oldest marine reserve in Seychelles. It comprises a group of six islands made up of volcanic rock and granite. A popular tourist destination, it is perfect for snorkelling, diving and glass boat bottom excursion. There are also marked regions for swimming, windsurfing and picnic. The reserve is home to over 150 marine species.

Anse Cocos is one of the most beautiful beaches located on the easter side of La Digue. The C shaped beach is known for incredible golden-white sand promenades, unfiltered crystal clear waters, and shallow natural pools. These pools are ideal for expert swimming. The beach is a popular photography spot. It is accessible from Grand Anse and Anse Fourmis on foot. The closest parking facility is at Grand Anse.

A beautiful moon-shaped bay located in the southwest of the island of Mahé, the Baie Lazare is an administrative district of Seychelles, well known for its scenic islands and also for the myriad of activities that tourists can enjoy here. The waters at the beach are relatively shallow, and there is plentiful shade.

Silhouette Island is home to the 125-year-old giant tortoise, incense trees and some rare, unique animals and trees. Now a protected area, the island is designated as a marine national park. The third largest island of Seychelles, Silhouette has a perfect blend of nature's beauty including flora and fauna which will leave you awed.

One of the Inner Islands, Aride Island is a sight to behold just 10 kilometres off the coast of north Praslin. The island is a 68-hectare site with white sandy beaches and the largest seabird population in the Indian Ocean. This is the northernmost of the granitic islands and has been claimed as a Nature Reserve by the Island Conservation Society of Seychelles. A visit to this beautiful reserve is a must see when visiting Seychelles as it gives you an all-round experience of everything the island nation has to offer.

Anse Volbert beach is the longest beach on Praslin Island of Seychelles. Also called Cote d'Or, it is the most popular beach among tourists, with a crescent-shaped stretch of white sand for 2.5km. Popular for watersports, the highlights are swimming, snorkelling, surfing, windsurfing, scuba diving, fishing, and sailing. It is also one of the best beaches to visit with children.

Offering a peek into the Seychellois way of life, Victoria Market, officially known as Sir Selwyn- Selwyn Clarke Market, is located in Victoria. Apart from offering varied items like fresh produce, fish and souvenirs, it allows one to experience the culture and food of the island.

Situated on the northern end of Mahe, the Takamaka Bay is one of the gorgeous beaches in Seychelles. With stunning views and beautiful golden sands, it gets its name from the Takamaka trees that line it. The beach has crystal clear water and abundant marine life making it great for swimming and snorkelling. It is ideal for families and children. Aldabra tortoises can also be spotted here.

Alphonse Island forms an integral part of the Outer Island Group of Seychelles. About 400 kilometres south-west of the main island of Mahe, Alphonse is a private island and is especially beautiful and unique due to its isolated nature. Alphonse is famous for diving and snorkelling. Guided nature walks and bird watching is also popular due to the staggering 130 different bird species found here.

Although not too popular, Anse Port Launay is a scenic and mesmerising site. With stunning and contrasting differences during high tide and low tide, it has a lot to offer like walking to an islet that is completely submerged during high tide and only accessible during low tide. And during high tide, visitors can rent kayaks to follow the same routes or explore the marshlands.

Anse Major, located on the wild northern coast of Mahé, is a small secret bay, full of natural beauty. It is abundant in breathtaking underwater life and fascinating coral seabeds, making it a great snorkelling spot. This island is quite secluded and can be reached by hiking through the Morne Seychellois National Park.

With a Seychellois football team named after it, the Anse La Reunion is one of the best all-round beaches of La Digue. With shallow and safe waters, you can engage in bathing or a swim in the sea. The beach also has a few beachfront guesthouses with beautiful views and particularly the sunset which is something to watch out for as they're splendid.

Anse Marron is a unique beach in the southern part of La Digue. It is surrounded by granite boulders, white sand and dense vegetation. The Anse Marron beach is far-flung from settlements which is part of its raw appeal. Known as one of the hardest accessible beaches, it requires a relatively moderate to challenging hike through the dense tropical jungle to reach.

Denis Island is, by all means, the sister Island of Bird Island. Both of these form a part of the granitic islands in Seychelles which in turn are part of the Inner Islands group. Denis Island is approximately 80 kilometres northeast of Mahe and is a beautiful 375-hectare landform lined with white sandy beaches that will make you fall in love with the place.

One of the Granitic Inner Islands, Felicite Island lies at a distance of just 4 kilometres from La Digue. The beautiful island is lined with white sandy beaches on its shores and a plethora of flora and fauna. It is a small island with just around 3 kilometres of length and 1.5 kilometres of width. This also makes it easy for visitors to explore the entire island in a matter of hours.

Anse Soleil lies on the south-west coast of Mahe, with a stunning bay that's great for underwater activities like snorkelling and swimming. The beach nestles in tropical vegetation and is 300m long with granite rocks lines on either side. It further opens to a small bay that has preserved underwater life along with coral beds. Getting to the beach might be challenging but it's worth it. The beach also owns a tiny cafe that serves seafood.

Anse La Blague is a well-hidden and secluded beach with turquoise waters and white pristine sands. Along the small road of Baie St Anne, over a steep hill, past Anse Takamaka; Anse La Blague is a small beach of Grand Anse in Praslin. You can catch a glimpse of the seaweed from October to April. The beach is also good for swimming and snorkelling.

Grande Soeur is a private island in Seychelles, located close to La Digue. 'Grande Souer' translates to 'Big Sister' in French, while 'Petite Soeur' means 'Little Sister'. Thus, these two islands form the Sister Islands, one of the most popular vacation location in Seychelles. Grande Soeur is managed by the Le Château de Feuilles Hotel, and so is not very crowded. It is popular snorkelling and diving.

One of the most famous beaches of La Digue, Anse Severe provides a spectacular view of the Island. It spreads over a 2000 square meter area of soft white sands sprinkled with granite boulders. Known for its excellent view of the sunset and the turquoise waters, the beach is a peaceful setting away from the city side. It is perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

A unique beach where the water is too shallow even to bathe in, the Anse Consolation comprises rock formations, shallow pools, and sand. As a result, the beach has a unique aesthetic. Uncrowded and serene, you can relax on the warm sand of the beach. The rocky outcrops protect the beach from crashing waves and turn the shore into the ideal lounging site.

L'Union Estate takes one back in history to the time when coconut farming was the occupation of the inhabitants of the La Digue island. The estate is a historical treasure trove with a museum, turtle exhibit, the oldest cemetery at La Digue, old coconut mills, and the oldest plantation in Seychelles. L'Union Estate also contains a tortoise pen that houses some giant tortoises.

Eerily resembling the Big Ben of London, the Clock Tower stands in the center of Mahe, representing the Franco-English history of the island. Known locally in Creole as Lorloz, serves as the centrepiece of Victoria. Built in the UK and shipped to Seychelles, it was commissioned by the then governor of Seychelles- Sir Ernest Bickham Sweet-Escott in memory of Queen Victoria.

Anse Patates is a quaint little beach located at the northernmost tip of La Digue. Having rock formations and the occasional Dolphins swimming by, it is one of the prettiest beaches. Not very crowded and famous, it offers excellent spots for one to relax. It is ideal for swimming and snorkelling, but with supervision. This is because the water here gets too deep too fast due to the lack of reefs.

Mission Lodge is one of the most significant landmarks of Mahe. The viewing spot and the adjoining ruins have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its significant contribution in the eradication of slavery in the region. You can see the mountains covered in lush greenery and the blue sea encompassing the island once you reach this 405 meters high vantage point.

Set on the hills of Morne Blanc, the Seyte tea factory is in the western Mahe, three kilometres from Port Glaud. This is a fully functional tea factory located in Morne Seychellois National Park producing the highest percentage of the tea consumed in Seychelles. The splendid tea factory enjoys a scenic location, and tourists get a lovely panoramic view of the slopes of Mahe from here.

Lying south-east of Mahe, Anse Marie Louise is a tranquil beach wrapped in turquoise blue water and sparkling sand. Anse Marie is easily accessible from Anse Forbans and is often referred to as an extension of the same beach. Being one of the last beaches of the island, it is not as busy as other beaches in Seychelles.

Featured in many of Seychelle's promotional materials, Ile Cocos is a small island that is under environmental protection by the government. Featuring a lovely postcard-worthy island dotted with vegetation, consisting mostly of palm trees, the island offers an unparalleled snorkeling and diving experience due to the rich marine life present here.

Located around 3.5 kilometers from Victoria, Eden Island is an artificial island belonging to the Mahe port islands, built with funds from Dubai. With premium ocean-facing views, the island is famous for its luxurious Eden Bleu Hotel. The island also has a Yacht marina, bars and restaurants and also places for a shopping spree.

Bel Ombre is an administrative district in Mahé famous for its natural beauty and scene locales, and the exotic local culture on display. Various tropical vacation activities also make this district a crowd favourite. The harbour and fishing village ensure that the seafood is always of top quality. Bel Ombre has activities for all - solo travellers, couples and families as well!

With white sand and pristine waters, the Carana Beach is situated at the most beautiful bay in the north of Mahe. It's a secluded beach with the best views and vegetation. The waters are shallow with seaweed spotted around November to July is the best time to swim. The beach is quite good for surfing during high tides during the other times.

Known as the "Home of the Paradise Fly-catcher", Veuve Reserve on the La Digue Island is the only place where the critically endangered Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher can be found. Almost like a well-kept secret with jungle vegetation and trails around the area, you can reconnect with nature at this place.

An uninhabited island, St Pierre Islet lies in the north of Praslin. A perfect destination for snorkelers, divers, yachtsmen, the waters of the island is calm and perfect for water activities. Grab your fishing and water sports outfits and jump into the sea of great fun and entertainment. It is among the few islands at Seychelles where you will be isolated, cut off from the rest of the world.

Roche Caiman is a wetland reserve and sanctuary, located in the north of Mahe. It hosts a variety of flora and fauna, and endemic and migrant birds which make it popular amongst bird lovers. Since it is an urban wetland reserve, insects, amphibians and reptiles can also be spotted here.

The Anse Royale Beach is located on the southeastern coast of Mahe Island, and is one of the most popular beaches. It is a long stretch of bay which consists of smaller beach sections. The water here is usually calm and ideal for swimming, snorkelling and windsurfing.

Anse Forbans is one of the remote beaches on Mahe island popular for snorkelling. The water here is calm and full of aquatic life. which also makes it ideal for swimming and fishing. Anse Forbans beach is often crowded with families and children as it is located close to several accommodations.

Grand Anse is often reputed as the longest beach in Mahe. Due to strong ocean currents, it is not recommended for swimming. But the tranquil beach with its wild waves is ideal for surfing. Enjoy a leisurely stroll or spread a towel and lay on the beach.

Commonly known as Victoria Cathedral, The Cathedral of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is one of the first churches built in Seychelles. Being the largest Catholic church in Seychelles, it is beautiful and is built similar to the French style. The pristine white building with its regal stone staircase at the main entrance is the single most outstanding feature of the cathedral.

The Seychelles Natural History Museum is a colonial architecture with exciting exhibits in different domains such as botany, zoology, geology, and anthropology. It houses artefacts like a 16th-century shipwreck and displays the history of Seychelles.

Over 100 years old, the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens is located in Mahe. The site is spread across 15 whole acres and is now deemed to be a national, as well as a green heritage. Housing a diverse range of flora and fauna, a popular attraction here is the  bat colonies spread around the gardens. Another famous spot is the Thai and the Chinese Garden with its intricate architecture and design.